The fabric-vs-steel comparison comes up on almost every Ontario commercial and agricultural project. Here is the real number breakdown for a 60'x120' building, comparing MegaDome turnkey to a comparable insulated PEMB steel building in 2026 Ontario pricing.
Capital Cost
MegaDome 60x120 turnkey including foundation, frame, membrane, two endwall doors and basic ventilation: $185K–$220K. Comparable insulated PEMB steel 60x120 turnkey: $320K–$420K. Fabric wins by roughly 40%.
Install Timeline
MegaDome: 8–14 weeks from signed contract. PEMB steel: 22–36 weeks. Fabric wins by 4–6 months.
Operating Cost
Translucent membrane drops daytime lighting to zero. Steel needs artificial lighting all day. Over 25 years that's $15K–$40K in lighting cost the fabric building avoids. Heating: PEMB with insulation has lower heat loss, fabric with insulation package narrows the gap; un-insulated comparison goes to steel.
Lifecycle Cost (30 years)
MegaDome including one re-skin at year 18: roughly $280K total cost. PEMB including repainting and maintenance: roughly $475K total cost. Fabric wins by 40% on lifecycle.
When PEMB Steel Still Wins
Conditioned office space, plumbing, sealed thermal envelope, multi-storey, heavy interior crane loads, or high-end retail / corporate identity. Fabric wins virtually everywhere else.
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